Welbeck maintains Arsenal revival
Danny Welbeck’s header eased the pressure on Arsene Wenger as Arsenal made it two victories in a week with a 1-0 success at West Bromwich Albion yesterday.
England striker Welbeck struck on the hour mark at the Hawthorns to boost the Gunners’ top-four aspirations following successive defeats in their last two Premier League matches.
That had left Wenger’s position under scrutiny, yet the picture now looks more positive for the Arsenal manager and his team following this win and a midweek success over Borussia Dortmund which secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Arsenal had to dig deep against a Baggies side set up to frustrate and hit them on the counter-attack, yet the home side’s resistance was eventually broken by Welbeck’s first club goal in seven outings. Wenger was able to start with Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and the fitagain Olivier Giroud for the first time, however it was Santi Cazorla who starred for his team with an assist from the Spaniard capping an excellent display.
While Wenger began the day as the manager under the spotlight, it was his opposite number Alan Irvine who ended the day feeling some pressure after supporters reacted with frustration to his tactics and substitutions.
England manager Roy Hodgson, in attendance at his former club, saw two of his players go head-to-head early on as Aaron Ramsey slid Welbeck in, only for England international Ben Foster to dart from his line and save smartly.
The West Brom goalkeeper had a fortunate escape in the 28th minute, however, when outside of his area close to the left corner flag, he gifted possession to Giroud, yet the angle proved too acute for the France international.
As half-time approached, it was the visitors who were very much in the ascendancy and, once again, the Baggies could count themselves lucky to avoid conceding following an individual error.
Youssouf Mulumbu gifted possession cheaply on the edge of the home side’s area to Cazorla, who fed the advancing Ramsey only for the Welshman to shoot narrowly beyond the post. — AFP